Christian group highlights role of church after four fatal stabbings in 24 hours

Tue 02 Jan 2018

By Tola Mbakwe

Christian charity Word 4 Weapons has singled out the role of Christians in tackling knife crime after four people were stabbed to death in unrelated attacks across London in the space of 24 hours.

A 17-year-old boy and two men, aged 18 and 20, attacked on New Year's Eve, along with a 20-year-old man knifed in the early hours of the following morning, all died as a result of their injuries, while a fifth victim is critically ill in hospital.

Six suspects have been arrested and Metropolitan Police have called the situation "truly unusual and extraordinary".

He told Premier the war on knife crime needs more input from everyone.

"It needs more work from the community, from the police, and from the government. "It needs more funding, thought and work put into it," Smith said.

"I hope that churches and other organisations will step up to the plate do something positive in the community about it."

Police at the scene of a stabbing at Bartholomew Court, Old Street in London. Four people have been stabbed to death during a string of apparently unrelated murders in London during a 24-hour period, police said.

Smith also made a plea for churches to use more of their resources to help combat the issue.

He told Premier: "There are many areas where young people need help; they need someone they can have confidence in and express their struggles and challenges to.

"I find on too many occasions our churches are closing up the church doors during the week except for Bible class, prayer meeting and services on Sunday.

"These are buildings that God has given us and we need to occupy them and make them available. The church should be a place of safety to provide that secure environment."

He also urged Christian to pray for children "that have no spiritual or moral guidance or compass".